Impact of the Title III of the U.S. Helms-Burton Act on Cuba: a threat to Cuba’s National Sovereign

Today marks another year since, on May 2, 2019, Donald Trump triggered the Title III of the criminal Helms-Burton Act. Such extraterritorial legislation, passed in 1996, aims at reinforcing the economic embargo imposed on the Caribbean island and thus destabilizing its political and economic system.

The Title III of the U.S. Helms-Burton Act allows American citizens to file lawsuits before U.S. courts against overseas companies operating in properties nationalized by Cuba after the Revolution triumphed in 1959. This measure is strong indication of the violation of the international right, as well as Cuba’s sovereign as it aims to impose jurisdiction by one country upon another.

The consequences of the activation of Title III are negative for the Cuban economy, since it threatens foreign investments and the development of the country. In addition, it puts at risk commercial relationships with international companies that could be the subject of lawsuits. This directly affects key sectors such as tourism, agriculture and industry, generating uncertainty and distrust among investors.

Cuba categorically rejects this unilateral and unjust measure, which seeks to undermine its sovereignty and its right to development. The Cuban government has strongly denounced the activation of Title III and has urged the international community to condemn this illegal and interventionist action.

Amidst this scenario of tensions, Cuba reaffirms its commitment to defending its sovereignty and its right to build a prosperous and sustainable future for its people. The activation of Title III of the U.S. Helms-Burton Act represents one more obstacle on the path towards the normalization of relations between Cuba and the United States, but it will not break the will of the Cuban people to move ahead with their socialist project.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff